Cristóbal Colón, founder of La Fageda, has died

Cristóbal Colón, the founder of the Catalan dairy company La Fageda, has passed away at the age of 77. A psychologist by training, Colón established the organization in 1982 in Olot, Girona, alongside his wife, Carme Jordà.

La Fageda was conceived as a social project designed to provide employment and dignity to individuals with mental health disorders and intellectual disabilities. What began as a non-profit initiative with 15 employees has grown over four decades into a recognized and profitable food brand that employs approximately 850 people.

Colón’s work gained unexpected international attention following the death of Maria Branyas, the world’s longest-lived person, who was known to consume La Fageda yogurts daily. This connection sparked significant interest from consumers in the United Kingdom and the United States, though the company maintained its focus on its social mission rather than aggressive commercial expansion.